South Carolina softball poised for an SEC breakthrough

The South Carolina softball team already has things going.

It spent last weekend in Tampa going 3-1, then returned to Columbia for Wednesday’s season opener against North Carolina and the Carolina Classic tournamentthis weekend at home.

Here are five key story lines to watch this season:

1. Re-arming

The Gamecocks return ace Nickie Blue, but said goodbye to No. 2 hurler Julie Sarratt. South Carolina reloaded with Jessica Elliott, fresh off a junior college first-team All-American and National Pitcher of the Year season that culminated with a national title at Chipola College. Both pitchers got work in each of the team’s first four games, and sophomore Hayley Copeland is a developing young arm.

“They’re all three different,” USC coach Beverly Smith said. “Which I think is great, because when you make a pitching change, you want it to be different. You want to really disrupt the batter’s timing. Jessica and Nickie both throw the ball hard, but they throw different types of balls.”

2. Bopping Boo

Smith already knows what she’s getting from Alaynie Page, a senior teammates call “Boo.” She had one hit in the opening swing in Tampa, but it was a home run – a two-run shot that made a difference against Illinois State. It’s the kind of production Smith came to count on from Page, who set a school record with 15 home runs in 2015. Her .436 average ranked third in the SEC, and earned her first-team all-conference honors and at least one All-American spot.

3. Backup bats

The Gamecocks could use more at the plate after finishing 10th in the SEC in runs scored in conference play, but they’ll have options. Six of the top seven hitters from last season return. That includes power bats in Victoria Williams, Kaylea Snaer and Taylor Williams. USC also got a boost from freshmen Kennedy Clark and Kenzi Maguire, who have taken spots near the top of the lineup. Alexis Mack provides a slap-hitting option the team hasn’t had in a while.

4. Up the gut

The biggest losses for South Carolina from last season came in the middle of the field. The Gamecocks bid adieu to a catcher, shortstop and centerfielder. Smith said she’s preached positional versatility, and that was the solution in several spots. Jordan Bizzell had mostly played third, but now works behind the plate. Senior Ansley Ard moved to center from right. Maguire has stepped in at short.

5. Aiming high

South Carolina will face a daunting task when it comes to expectations, simply because of the strength of the SEC. The conference produced three of the past four national champions, and is regularly deep with quality. But Smith expects her squad to reach a new level after going 38-22 last spring. In her sixth season, she said the recruiting has paid off. “We’ve got the talent,” she said. “So now, it is just bringing our best on gameday. I expect this is the year that we kind of bust through and have a big season.”

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "South Carolina softball poised for an SEC breakthrough."